Fran jumped out of bed in the morning in a good mood. Full of anticipation due to her date with Maxwell. For a long time she stood in front of the closet and found nothing to wear. She finally decided on a red dress. She tried many hairstyles until she was happy with the result. She wanted to look elegant and adultive. She was just finishing her make-up when she heard wild screaming from the children's room. Hastily she ran there to check. It was her job to get the girls ready in the morning and take them to school and kindergarten. The rest of the morning was at her disposal. Fran helped Meredith with her school uniform and picked out a dress for Susan. She did both girls' hair and a little later they were all sitting at the breakfast table. "You look especially pretty today Miss Fine, do you have anything special planned?" Fran blushed slightly. "No, not really Mrs. Kent, I'm just meeting the other au pairs." Mrs. Kent glanced furtively at Fran. There was something about her. She had observed last night that Fran had spent most of the evening with the young Sheffield. She fervently hoped Fran would not fall in love with him. Nothing against Maxwell Sheffield, this was a decent young man, but she knew his parents and knew they would never tolerate a simple girl from Queens in their home. Fran, on the other hand, felt guilty because of her lie. But she didn't want to tell anyone about Maxwell for now.

Maxwell was already at the café an hour before the time. He was so excited to see if Fran would even come. He walked around the stores nearby to pass the time. Then he remembered he didn't have a present. While he looked along the shop windows, he feverishly thought about what she would be happy about. In the end, he decided on a box of chocolates in the shape of a heart. She had told him yesterday how much she loved chocolate. He kept looking at the clock. Shortly before 9 o'clock he sat in the cafe and stared nervously to the entrance. By now it was already five past nine. He already feared she would not come.

Fran entered the cafe with her heart pounding. She had taken her mother's advice and waited another five minutes. Her mother always said to her it would be good to fidget a man a little. She recognized Maxwell at a quiet table by the window. His face lit up when he saw her. Joyfully, he approached her. "I'm glad you're here!" "Thank you for inviting me." A little later, when they both had their coffee, they chatted amusedly. Maxwell told currently, at the moment he was working for his father. "My parents would love to see me go to law school so that one day I can continue my father's business." Fran noticed his pained face. "And what would you like to do?" Maxwell fussed a little. "Honestly, theater and musicals are my great passion. I've dreamed since I was a kid, one day I will become a famous Broadway producer. I've directed a few plays in boarding school and college. Now in my spare time I read Shakespeare's classics and come up with sets and stage directions." As he talked, Fran wanted to hear more and more. She was impressed by the dedication and enthusiasm with which he spoke. She was absolutely sure he would make it. "You have to do this Max! Absolutely! It would be a shame if all your ideas and talent went to waste. I'm sure your parents will be proud of you once success comes."You have no idea (he laughed derisively) when I try to talk to them about it, they just think I should grow up and threaten to disinherit me." "Ugh that's awful!" shouted Fran so loudly that some people looked her way. Fran blushed. "I just think they should support you and not put obstacles in your way." "That's just the way it works in our circles. Everyone has his/her role and duties to fulfill. You're not asked, it's just expected of you." Fran looked at him sympathetically. She understood, being born into a rich family was probably not only a privilege but also a burden. She took his hands in hers. "If this is really your dream, you should follow your heart. No one can ask you to live a miserable life. I firmly believe in you" Maxwell was deeply touched by her words. He stroked her hands with his fingers. He felt that for the first time someone understood him and gave him true encouragement. He was even happier now to have found her.

For the next few hours they continued to talk about the theater, books they liked to read and their favorite music. It was past 12 o'clock when Fran suddenly startled up. "Oyy I have to go. Susan will be home from kindergarten soon." Maxwell regretted this, but offered to take her home so she wouldn't be late.

So they stood in front of the magnificent mansion of the Kent family, Maxwell thought of something else. "Wait Francine, I forgot. I have a present for you!" Fran unwrapped the chocolates and thanked him with a kiss on the cheek. Saying goodbye to each other was difficult for both of them. Maxwell asked Fran if she would like to go out tonight. But she just shook her head sadly. "I'm afraid I can't, Mr. and Mrs. Kent are going to a concert tonight, so I'll have to stay with the girls" "Too bad, I wish I would be Kents' little son, then you'd probably have more time for me." Fran laughed at his joke. Finally she gave him her phone number, she had her own line in her room. She pressed another goodbye kiss to his cheek and disappeared into the house. Maxwell waved after her before getting into the car. He watched as lights went on in one room and saw Fran scurrying around the room. He reached for the phone in his car and dialed her number. "Fran Fine!" "Hi, I just wanted to check if you gave me the right number". Butterflies fluttered in Fran's stomach again. This guy was definitely a keeper. "Don't worry you won't get rid of me that fast. But I have to change now." "Then hang up" "No you hang up first" "No you" So they went back and forth for a while until they both hung up laughing. Fran rushed to the window and watched him drive away.

Fran's afternoon passed quite uneventfully. She played doll kitchen with little Susan until Meredith came home from school. She helped her with her homework and afterwards she accompanied the girls to their ballet lesson. After dinner, the children spent some time with their parents in the living room. Fran cleaned up the children's room and made up the beds. While the Kent couple got ready for the concert, Fran bathed the girls, getting a good wet splash. While they ate their milk with cookies, she read them a story. Fran stayed in the nursery until they were both peacefully asleep. She said goodbye to the Kents and escorted them to the limo. She was about to go back into the house when she saw a shadow coming closer and closer. She was about to scream when a hand covered her mouth in a flash and a familiar voice whispered to her. "Shhh quiet, it's just me!" "My God Max, you scared me! What are you doing here so late?" "I thought with the Kents gone, I could come visit you." Fran mused, she was incredibly happy that he was here but there was a problem. "Max, Mr. and Mrs. Kent don't allow gentlemen in the house when they're away. As much as I'd like to, I can't let you in the house." "I see, they're absolutely right of course but we could sit on the porch then we won't be in the house." Fran thought that was an excellent idea, because she certainly didn't want him to leave again. "Sit down, I'll be right back!" She scurried into the house and soon returned with tea and cookies. So they sat there, talking and looking up at the night sky. Fran periodically checked to see if the girls were still in their beds.

"You take your au pair duties very seriously, do you actually want to work with children later?" "Yes... maybe... let's see... whereby" Fran stuttered and turned away embarrassed." Maxwell turned her face to him and looked at her curiously. "Well I have an idea..but it's just a crank...forget it!" "Now come on Francine, I'd like to know." "No you probably think it's ridiculous...I've never told anyone this before" "Now come on, I told you my dream this morning too." "All right! I'm very interested in fashion. I used to make up my own outfits when I was a little girl and I liked to draw dresses. Later, I taught myself to sew and designed dresses for my dolls. In New York there is a very good school for fashion design. Many famous star designers work with this school and were students there themselves. But it's difficult to get accepted there. They only take the best." Maxwell noticed the glow and sparkle in her eyes as she told all this. Her passion was at least as great as his." "That sounds great Francine. You need to apply there." Fran was aghast. Until now, this had always been a little girl's dream. But maybe he was right. "Can I see your drawings and designs sometime?" Fran pondered, still feeling insecure, she had never shown her portfolio to anyone before. Finally she gave in and the next time she checked on the girls, she retrieved the portfolio from her room. "But you have to promise to give me your honest opinion!" He nodded and looked at all their pictures. The dresses were very well drawn. all of them were very colorful in bright colors. He looked at them for a long time while Fran watched him nervously." Honestly Francine, if this school doesn't take you, they have no idea" Fran fell around his neck. "Do you really mean that?" "Of course they are excellently drawn. All the dresses are in the same style and yet each has its own appeal and a little extra. Above all, your designs reflect your personality. Well some I would rework, they might be a little too garish for the general taste." Fran was pleased with his honest open constructive criticism. "You'll see, one day I'll be a Broadway producer and you'll be the head of the costume department." "Oh yeah!" agreed Fran. "Together we'll be number one!" They goofed around and dreamed of their dazzling future together! Until it was time for Maxwell to leave. As they said goodbye, they looked into each other's eyes for a long time. Maxwell breathed a tender kiss on her lips. "You are a wonderful girl Francine, I am so glad I have met you!" "I'm glad too, I enjoy every minute with you!" Again their lips met for a shy gentle kiss. As Maxwell drove away, Fran watched him for a long time. Her fingers gently brushed over her lips.